Shivaji Park

Situated in Dadar in central Mumbai, Shivaji Park is one of the city's most important open spaces. Like the Azad Maidan and August Kranti Maidan (formerly Gowalia Tank Grounds), it is also of immense historical and cultural value because of the amount of political and social gatherings it has witnessed, both in pre- and post-independence Mumbai.

Its name is in homage to the legendary 15th century Hindu warrior king of the region, Chatrapati Shivaji, who created a powerful Maratha kingdom and was mainly responsible for crippling the autocratic rule of the Mughals across India by engaging them in numerous intense battles. An interesting fact to note is that this ground which was created in 1925 by the Bombay Municipal Corporation, has been so named in the days of British India. By naming it thus, the British authorities in Mumbai (then Bombay) acknowledged the greatness of Shivaji and the reverence his name commanded amongst the local Marathi population. Ironically, in his time Shivaji had also forseen the ulterior motives of the British East India Company and challenged the growing British presence in India.

Besides being a venue for mammoth gatherings of freedom fighters in British India, after independence Shivaji Park has been the focal point of the 'Samyukta Maharashtra Chalval' (struggle for a consolidated Maharashtra) that led to the present Maharashtra state being formed in 1960. The ground has also been integral to the political gatherings of the local party Shiv Sena, and has held numerous other political rallies. It is flanked around its edge by a katta (low boundry wall on which one can sit), which is a popular hangout for young and old Mumbaikars alike, and it can often be difficult to get a place to sit here on an average evening. The walk-way around the ground perimeter is crowded with people taking walks, especially in the evenings.

Approximately 7 acres in area, the ground bustles with budding cricketers throughout the day. Around the park, one finds numerous institutions/attractions such as the Samarth Vyayam Mandir (gymnasium), Shivaji Park Gymkhana (club), Kid's Park, Open Air Gym, Nana-Nani Park (Granpa-Granma park), Scout's Pavillion (which also doubles up as a popular venue for marriages), Ganapati Mandir (Ganesh temple), The Bengal Club and a library. The walk-way is covered with huge rain trees that offer respite from the scorching afternoon sun.

If one notices the grand statue of Shivaji adorning this maidan (ground), it is surprising to note that this is one of the very few statues in which Shivaji is depicted without having drawn out his sword. Instead, Shivaji is shown simply leading the way with his arm outstretched. A creation of 1966 out of funds collected from the local population, this statue is a rare (and some may say absurd) example of the so-called pacifist policies of the then state government of Maharashtra, in independent India. It was considered a sensitive issue by the then government, to let this statue depict the confrontationist posture of Shivaji, who's sword had struck terror at the heart of the mighty and tyrannical Mughal empire under emperor Aurangazeb. This modification of the statue in its design stage was justified under the pretext that the new independent India was to portray itself as a peace-loving nation. While the statue is an impressive sculpture, many believe it's also a soft dilution of history.

But still, this minor detail has not taken away anything from the continuing reverence of Shivaji's name or the importance of Shivaji Park, even in present times. The surroundings of this ground have many buildings dating back to the mid-1900s, and the Shivaji Park residential zone is today one of the most sought-after and expensive real estates in Mumbai. This predominantely Marathi neighbourhood is home to some of Mumbai's best known personalities from literature, theatre, commerce and sports. It is also one of the few remaining strongholds of the original Maharashtrian way of living in Mumbai.

In modern times though, one relates Shivaji Park more with being the cradle of Indian cricket, with its innumerable cricket academies having produced several international-standard players for India. The two biggest names being Sunil Gavaskar, and Sachin Tendulkar, who is currently regarded by many as the best batsman in the world.